Abstract

Efficient asset management remains a challenge for individuals and small-scale enterprises due to the high costs of proprietary tracking solutions. This paper proposes a seamless IoT-based asset tracking and cost savings leveraging the ESP8266 (NodeMCU) microcontroller and the Blynk Cloud platform. By integrating WiFi-based positioning with a user-friendly mobile interface, the system enables real-time monitoring and geographic tagging of physical assets. The study details the hardware-software architecture, emphasizing the optimization of data transmission intervals to balance battery longevity with the accuracy of tracking. Based on experimental results, the device operated for 18 hours on a single 500mAh Li-Po battery with a 5-minute update frequency. The accuracy rate is 98.5% higher than the benchmark value, which is 95%. It demonstrates that the proposed system provides a reliable, scalable, and budget-friendly alternative to traditional GPS-GSM trackers. This research highlights the potential of open-source IoT ecosystems in democratizing asset security and enhancing operational visibility in resource-constrained environments.

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